The Star Garden

The Sarah Agnes Prine Novels, Book 3

By: Nancy E. Turner

Narrated by: Laura Hicks

Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of These Is My Words comes an exhilarating follow-up to the beloved Sarah's Quilt. In the latest diary entries of pioneer woman Sarah Agnes Prine, Nancy E. Turner continues Sarah's extraordinary story as she struggles to make a home in the Arizona Territory.

Winter 1906. Nearing bankruptcy after surviving drought, storms, and the rustling of her cattle, Sarah remains a stalwart pillar to her extended family. Then a stagecoach accident puts in her path three strangers who will change her life.

In sickness and in health, neighbor Udell Hanna remains a trusted friend, pressing for Sarah to marry. When he reveals a plan to grant Sarah her dearest wish, she is overwhelmed with passion and excitement. She soon discovers, however, that there is more to a formal education than she bargained for.

Behind the scenes, Sarah's old friend, Maldonado, has struck a deal with the very men who will become linchpins of the Mexican Revolution. Maldonado plots to coerce Sarah into partnership, but when she refuses, he devises a murderous plan to gain her land for building a railroad straight to Mexico. When Sarah's son, Charlie, unexpectedly returns from town with a new bride, the plot turns into an all-out range war between the two families.

Finally putting an end to Udell's constant kindnesses, Sarah describes herself as "an iron-boned woman." She wants more than to be merely a comfortable fill-in for his dead wife. It is only through a chance encounter that she discovers his true feelings, and only then can she believe that a selfless love has at last reached out to her.

©2007 AudioGO (P)2015 Blackstone Audiobooks

Didn't want it to end

Loved this entire series. The rich details about the land and life were very informative and gave so much to the story. Shows how important our family is to one another.

why not keep the original narrator

each of these three books in the series has a different narrator which is quite obnoxious.. the first one was best, they got worse as it went.

Really good series!

This story was a wonderful one. Loved the whole series and was very impressed. Only thing I wish is that the same reader would have read all 3 books.

The Star Garden

I really enjoyed the Sarah Prine Elliot books. Entertaining and captivating!!!
I highly recommend Nancy Turners books!

Nancy Turner - a brilliant storyteller!

The Star Garden did not disappoint, and honestly, I hated to see it end! The strong characters in this 3-book set had me feeling like I’d met long lost family members. By the end of The Star Garden I realized just how entwined I had become in Sarah’s life and I hated considering that my adventures with her were coming to an end. If I’m being honest though, I think Sarah will be with me for a long time.

My only complaint, is that it’s over.

What an extraordinary story, She’s right though, there aren’t many women like Sarah or the likes of her family, anymore. It saddens me that I don’t get any more Sarah Prine stories, but I absolutely love Turner’s writing. I plan on reading everything. Definitely buy these books, you won’t regret it.

Best historical fiction lately

I was left wanting more. If you like historical fiction.. that’s all you need to know.. well that & there were 3 different narrators - however the main character seemed to be aging or developing with each new narrator- so it worked

Great story, rough narration

Love this story, but I don’t love the narration. There’s something wrong with the audio quality in general but also the narrator’s voice is grating. She does a good job with speaking for different people but the strange ringing and the shrill tone of her voice stay a noticeable problem throughout.

Wonderfully written, moving, intriguing

I moved to Tucson when I was 21 years old, I’ve been here the majority of my life and listening to the experiences these pioneers endured while settling in the Arizona territory has been utterly amazing. In order to get a full perspective of their experiences, each book in the series should be read or listened to on Audible. I enjoyed these heart wrenching stories one after another as I drove in my car. At times I would elongate my drive just so I can hear more of these wonderfully written books. This is true American literature at its best.

Great book!

I enjoyed the story of the struggles of what women had to endure in the old west.

Not as good as These is my words

The story is lovely - though I don't understand why they skipped book 2. I have a quilt dating from the first pioneer times, so I feel very close to the story, but oh my stars. The narrator's voice is so poor. The accent, the tone, the timbre, everything conspires to wreck the story/ I can't recommend this one. Maybe the accent etc is more acceptable in the US, but it actually hurts my ears to listen. I can't concentrate on the story because the voice just doesn't fit

A Star Performance

very good narrator,taking up a different tone for each character. A very attaching character. Good historical background.